More Big Big Train, this being a nicely produced music video of the song "Folklore". Anyone familiar with the original film "The Wicker Man" (not the Nicolas Cage travesty...) may find the hairs on his or her neck rising and chills up the spine.

That's part of the problem though. How can we identify when liberalism goes too far? When group identity is more important than personal identity? Where do we stand to get the proper perspective? I think the answer has to be somewhere in the middle, but who can be in the middle and then judge? They'd just be decried as too conservative. That's the problem when everything is too polar, there is no middle to mitigate extremism on either side. But it serves both sides to rip anyone in the middle to shreds because the polarity is the source of power.

I really like this explanation, on what I think is the entire problem with politics in the U.S..

I won't pretend to be smart enough to add anything significant enough other than my opinion. But, if I have ever stated that my views lie in the center (relative to the far right & left), I HAVE been viewed as having no real opinion. Which I find to be bullocks. Because, if I can look at an issue and see both sides does that mean that I have no real view on it? I do. It's only that I know the only way to reach a sensible solution is to meet somewhere in the middle. Hopefully, with a little more swinging your way. If not, we're left at a standstill. Exactly where politics stand today. No one willing to budge on their viewpoint, not willing to meet in the middle. It will be the downfall of us, I'm sure, if it doesn't change.

I don't think our current politics are all that dire. Remember, the hardcore right thought America wouldn't survive the Obama presidency. Now the hardcore left thinks we won't survive the Trump presidency. All of it .... complete nonsense.

Centrists such as MSJ may not be politically influential at this moment, but it is that centrist, bridge-building impulse that holds a society together. The wise among the hardcore politicos recognize that truth, and they know that they need to attract the centrists, to be open to that bridge-building impulse.

"Quillette is a platform for free thought. We respect ideas, even dangerous ones. We also believe that free expression and the free exchange of ideas help human societies flourish and progress. Quillette aims to provide a platform for this exchange."

The comment section is unusually civil.

Here's an article on the Jordan Peterson phenomenon, largely focussed on the animosity towards JP from the Left.

So you want me to go knock on his door and ask him what's happening with the start up, as someone posted his address online. He'll fucking shoot me probably.

The guys name is Dez Oku, which seems made up by a lazy person to me.

The Merchant! I knew you would save me - you courageous fellow! That's right, you got it - knock on that fucker's door and ask him when he's going to deliver this goddamn game! I believe in you, brother. Take this piece of shit out! And yes, appears Dez is his name - the piece of shit was all over town when he was shopping his game, and then boo hoo, people died and goes radio silent - could be worse, he could be stuck in Earwa. Bull ... SHIT, I tell you! Bull shit. Don't be a pussy, Merchant and just get in your fucking car and drive over there - if you're too "busy", then get Bakker to fucking do it ... he ain't writing so has a lot of free time on his hands, I reckon. Anyways, fuck him, this adventure has you written all over it, Merchant! Stock up your hardware, if you have to and have Reservoir Dogs playing in your car and get er' done! You're awesome, I love ya. Now do it!

Funniest rant from the great TaoHorror in awhile!

Hey, I'd do the job myself, but we Amikans* now need a freaking passport to "visit" Canada. Effing bullshit!

Next gig is Aug. 25. We hope to debut the Abbey Road medley. It's slowly falling into place. This is the fun part of being in a band: the early days, when possibilities seem endless, even for us old guys. "Ripples"? Fuck yeah, let's try it! Abbey Road medley? Fuck yeah, let's try it! Everybody challenging their own musicianship, searching for a group feel that works. High cotton.

Wild Wood ... hmmmm ... am I looking too deeply into that name as metaphor? Reliving your teen years, BFK?

How's the band doing? Still getting gigs, people not throwing fresh fruit and vegetables at ya ( which would be a step up from rotten ... ).

I've got one thing to say ... FLOOOOYD!

Thanks, Tao! Yes, as always, Tao, you are reading TOO MUCH into "Wild Wood". We'll see whether or not the chicks ladies approve of that reading....

Early days, but our home base (Failoni's) digs us. No other Pink Floyd tunes on the agenda at the moment. "Ripples" was very approximate, just myself and the guitarist. I was playing the harmonies with my right hand while reading the chord chart from the smartphone held in my left hand. Now, for my next trick....seriously, Ripples is a great Genesis song from before they got huge. Needs more work. And, I need a tablet! "Wave of the future, dude."